Take the tried and true method of custom print tickets for your next event with Chicago print shops for ticket customization, fast turnaround, and affordable pricing.
Printed Event Tickets For Organizers
Tickets to major events like sports games, concerts, and theme parks seem largely digital today. However, nothing beats an old-fashioned “Admit One” ticket that is printed out on full-color paper that can be taken anywhere. Physical tickets are still just as reliable as their digital counterparts, which is why many independent event organizers, artists, musicians, and more are choosing print tickets for their events. In Chicago, where there are plenty of galleries, music festivals, and more, tickets are more important than ever.
The good news is that they didn’t have to look far for their custom tickets, because all it takes is a search at local printing services. High-quality printed tickets can be found at the very same print shop where you may find custom banners and apparel. Event ticket printing is a custom design process with plenty of opportunities for graphics collaboration, savings, and convenience. Here’s everything to know about finding, and making, custom event tickets in Chicago.
Why Print Tickets For Events?
Entry tickets date back to Ancient Rome, where clay tokens and pots were used for entry to the Colosseum. By the 18th Century, paper slips became the normalized material for tickets while the 20th Century would see more vibrant, graphic, and collectible ones. Today, tickets are as digitized as ever. Despite its evolution, the function and role of tickets have remained the same with concerts, galas, and local events.
Tickets have always functioned as custom badges for entry to an experience. As the Romans discovered with the Colosseum, it helps to have a system of entry and crowd management elements in place when holding an event for a large group of people with expectations. Tickets shouldn’t be seen as advertisements for events, but satisfaction guaranteed with them. The branding, ticket number, and listed date serve beyond marketing which is why some people choose to keep them rather than throw them away.
Custom Ticket Printing Options
There are a variety of options when it comes to designs and printing custom tickets or event badges. The simple appeal of a class raffle ticket with just the number possibly being drawn is best for school fairs and other community events. But, professional events like concerts, games, stage productions, or conventions require tickets with more eye-catching flair as well as appropriate branding and design. Here are some different ticket printing style options available in small or bulk print orders:
- Numbering — Before QR codes, tickets used (and still do) numbers in the series they were printed in. The sequential numbering is a verification system with each ticket and attendee having its own. Numbering tickets is also ideal for raffles.
- Bottom perforation — Commonly used in movie theaters, perforated tickets have a tearable stub section, or bottom, to show that it has been validated upon entry. Perforated tickets also function as their own security measure with ticket stubs being valid for entry and reentry.
- Full color graphic design — Tickets don’t have to be all text listing the event, place, date, and time. An artist or organizer can turn their tickets into collectables with custom graphic design, branding, and even photographs. Tickets can be single-sided or double-sided in this regard.
Local Printing Companies in Chicago
With over 55 million visitors every year, Chicago’s event scene is driven by tickets –printed and digital. It will not be uncommon for printing shops in the Windy City, like Midwest Custom Print, to offer ticket and event badge printing.
Event ticket printing is also not the only service they offer for event organizers, so it helps to look at print shops that have reputable feedback from people in that field. Digital-first print companies in Chicago also tend to offer quality and reliable event ticket printing. This focus allows for speedy printing which is perfect for rolls of tickets.
Take time to look at whether a local print shop employs a team of graphic designers if you are looking to make your event tickets pop with custom designs. Having professional designers can help optimize your event tickets into full-color souvenirs that attendees will not want to throw away.
Online Printing Services in Comparison
On the other hand, online printing services remain an option — especially if no print shops near you print tickets. It may also be the quicker way if an event is coming up and tickets still have not been printed. Larger names like VistaPrint and PrintRunner specialize in making custom printing more accessible online with simple design submission and a wide range of choices. One major drawback is a lack of design assistance.
Materials For Printing Custom Tickets
In addition to different printing and style options, you may be offered different paper options depending on the print shop. Here are some of the best cardstock and materials for event tickets:
- Gloss — This cardstock gives tickets a laminated and reflective feel without being laminated. Glossy tickets are commonly given at sports games and special events.
- Matte — Instead of a reflective feel, matte cardstock is dull but bold and smooth. Matte tickets are commonly used at concerts, fundraisers, and theaters.
- UV-coated — Some print shops may offer the option to coat custom tickets with a layer of UV-gloss. This gives matte cardstock the reflectiveness of gloss.
Event Badge Printing vs. Event Ticket Printing
Comic, automotive, and other types of convention organizers would benefit more from event badge printing than event ticket printing. While a ticket is required for entry, badge holders carry them around for the whole event. Because of this, badges tend to use QR codes rather than numbers that can be scanned anytime. Conference badges are also better suited to be glossy and UV-coated on account they must stick out on a person.
Tickets and badges may also work together. An example would be a badge being required for general entry at a convention, while tickets are sold for special events within the larger event. Badges should typically be considered for large venues, turnouts, and multi-day events.
Ticket Printing From Midwest Custom Print
Given local and online options for custom ticket printing, it can be hard to know where to start your search. Begin with Midwest Custom Print in Chicago –offering high-quality 2″ x 6″ event tickets printed on 16 pt. C2S gloss with full coloring available on both sides. Numbering and bottom perforation are also available if desired and order up to 2500 tickets.
Our team of in-house designers can take any custom design you have and best optimize it for ticket printing. Contact us today at 1-844-928-7866 for a free order quote or visit us in Chicago to start your order of custom event tickets today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Event Ticket Printing
How Much Does Event Ticket Printing Cost?
Custom Ticket printing costs depend on the number of tickets printed, bottom perforation, and numbering with both tending to add to the cost. However, more tickets may result in better pricing with bulk orders.
What is The Best Size For Event Tickets?
2″ x 6″ is the optimal and most sold size of custom tickets. 2″ x 5″ is also available from some print shops.
How Should Custom Designs And QR Codes be Submitted?
Print-ready artwork and designs should be submitted with at least 300 dpi (dots per inch) with correct bleeding. The same applies to QR codes since that resolution will allow them to be scanned. PDF, JPEG, and other high-resolution image file types are acceptable.
